‘Everyone deserves a chance to enjoy life’
When Tamara Rajah, 36, came up with a business idea that could help people living with cancer, it became impossible to ignore.
Afew years ago, my career seemed mapped out. After completing a degree in science, I joined an international consultancy firm, becoming one of their youngest partners at 30. I loved it and it would have been easy to stay. But then I had an idea that changed everything. I consulted in healthcare and noticed that much of the system is based around treatment and research – which is amazing – but many patients with long-term conditions spend most of their time outside hospital, just trying to muddle through their daily lives. The side effects of many medicinal cancer treatments can be debilitating, making it difficult to do normal things. I was certain we could do more to make life easier. When watching my grandfather suffer from cancer and my grandmother from dementia, I would have done anything to give them even one less awful day. I did some research and found that while there are lots of products to make life easier, from sleeping aids to comfy headscarves, not many patients knew how to access them. I thought it would be brilliant to have one database where patients could find all these life-changing things.
In 2015, after pulling together savings and seed investment, it was time to make it happen. I hired an intern and we approached patient-recommended brands, which were proven to work, to see if they wanted to be included on our website, Live Better With. Then, the website focused solely on helping people with cancer.
We’ve now built up over 1,200 products and the team has grown to 20 people. We helped open the UK’S first cancer store at Guy’s Hospital in London and started an online service map so people can enter their postcode and find everything near them that could help. We’ve designed our own range of cancer products and there’s a forum on the website for people to share advice and hopefully feel less alone.
I have never regretted leaving my job. It’s tough running my own business but I have a brilliant support system, especially in my husband, Torsten. Plus, the rewards are immeasurable – receiving feedback that we have made a difference to those who are suffering is the most incredible feeling. My ambition is that Live Better With will become a household name, so if anyone is diagnosed with a longterm condition they will know where to find advice and products to help. We recently branched out to cover the menopause and want to help as many conditions as possible. Everyone should be able to enjoy life. ◆ livebetterwith.com
Receiving feedback that we have MADE A DIFFERENCE is an incredible feeling